Campaign groups urge public to use €2 plastic plug in water-charges protests

Anti-water charges campaign groups across Ireland are encouraging the public to remove their water meters and use a €2 plastic plug to keep their water flowing.

According to today's Irish Mail on Sunday, nearly 300 of the devices have already been sold as part of a mass campaign of civil disobedience being run by more than 100 anti-water charges groups.

Irish Water has said it is aware of the practice and has warned people that tampering with a meter was an offence which could result in offenders spending three months in prison and paying a fine of up to €5,000.

More than 100 anti-water charges groups are due to meet in Cork next month to plan a national campaign against the levy.